How to Stage Your Home for a Quicker Sale

Guest Blogger #685, Entry #1619, September 20, 2012

It’s a buyer’s market. This fact alone makes selling your home even more difficult than ever before. Homebuyers have so many options; new construction seems to constantly compete with the sale of older, ‘used’ homes – making the staging of your home a key criterion for a quick sale. After all, what better way to compete with new construction than to make your home look like new?!

Stage your home by decluttering first

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De-clutter:

In order to make your home appealing, you will have to de-clutter.  Grab a few boxes and begin packing up the non-essentials.  Your home may not be sold yet, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t get a jump on the packing. Clear out and pack up all your closets, cupboards, counter tops, and drawers of everything you don’t plan to use in the next month or so.  Also, be sure to pack up all those decorative items such as picture frames, trophies, candles etc…. These are all personal items that will not help to sell your home. In fact, some studies show that personal photos can deter buyers, making them feel like it is not their home. If you want to sell house fast, then remove all personal items related to yourself and family for a neutral interior.

A good coat of paint:

Once your home is cleaned up and clutter-free, it is time to patch all those holes left from picture hooks, and other dents from wear and tear. Pick a neutral paint color, such as a buttery, toned-down yellow or beige and begin painting – everywhere. Nothing says welcome to your new home more than a clean paint job.

Stage your home to look appealing and inviting

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Keep things neutral:

Your personal decorating style may be the right choice for you, but not every potential buyer may agree. If you have items that may not suit everyone’s tastes then again pack them away. For example, maybe you have an affinity for the French country style so you have long toile drapes all over the house. These drapes may turn some buyers off, and block the view of great windows. It is best to take these down and replace them with plain white wood blinds that can rolled up, opening up the window frame and making the room feel larger.

Having a friend come by to look at your home from a different viewpoint can always help. They may be able to pick out items that are distracting since they don’t live in the home. While they are there maybe you can convince them to stay and help you pack!

For more moving tips on Stagetecture, click here.